From Policy to Platform: How the Middle East Is Building the World’s Most Advanced Digital Governments

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Once defined by resource-led growth, the Middle East is now being reshaped by state-led digital transformation. Governments across the region are making sustained investments in technology infrastructure and national digital initiatives, accelerating the adoption of AI, automation, and smart city systems to build globally competitive government technology capabilities.

Why GovTech Matters 

GovTech has become increasingly important as people expect public services to be as fast and simple as the digital applications they use every day. Moreover, it enables governments to streamline operations, reduce administrative costs, enhance transparency, and expand access to services.

According to the World Economic Forum, GovTech is expected to unlock $9.8 trillion in public value globally by 2034. With growing cyber risks and economic competition, digital government is now essential for stronger public trust, better decision-making, and building a future-ready society.

What Is Driving the GovTech Push?

Middle Eastern governments began pursuing GovTech adoption primarily to diversify their economies away from oil dependence, enhance public service efficiency, and position themselves as global digital leaders.

Saudi Arabia’s digital initiative platforms are a core part of its Vision 2030 strategy. Catering to a wide array of citizen and resident services, initiatives such as Absher, Tawakkalna, and Balady simplify administrative tasks and interactions with the public sector. 

By 2023, the country had digitized more than 6,000 government services, accounting for 97% of all public services.

Absher offers over 160 government services to citizens, including passport renewals, driving license issuance, and national ID requests, while Tawakkalna, initially launched for COVID-19 management, has become Saudi’s Super App, offering access to government services, personal documents, and health status updates.

Etimad is an online finance platform that facilitates payments for both the public and private sectors, aiming to expedite transactions and increase transparency. 

The kingdom has invested over $24.8 billion in digital infrastructure over the past six years. 

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts are a direct response to urgent global challenges. Today, the world faces an ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies,”  Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Saudi Arabia, said in a press statement.

While Saudi Arabia leads in GovTech initiatives, the UAE is following closely with 1,419 digital public services, utilized by over 57 million users.

The Global Innovation Index 2025 (GII) ranks the UAE as one of the top three innovation economies in the Northern Africa and Western Asia region. A good example of a fintech initiative in the country is the Jaywan Card Scheme, a network designed to localize payment operations, reduce transaction costs, and enhance the infrastructure.

“At the Ministry of Finance, we are moving forward with a vision focused on developing an advanced digital infrastructure that enhances financial decision-making, strengthens transparency and efficiency, and supports the development of a competitive, knowledge-based ecosystem that delivers an exceptional customer experience built on quality and speed,” said Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance (UAE), at GITEX Global 2025.

New Digital Solutions Launched

The UAE and Saudi Arabia launched multiple digital initiatives in 2025, focusing on AI, smart infrastructure, and government digitalization, as well as building digital sovereignty and enhancing smart services.

Recently, the UAE officially made the Digital Dirham legal tender and made its first cross-border digital currency payment to China. 

At GITEX 2025, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MOET) unveiled new digital solutions to accelerate and streamline the registration of trademarks, companies, and economic establishments across the UAE. 

“The ministry will continue to develop innovative digital solutions and services for individuals, companies, and entrepreneurs in the coming phase, leveraging advanced technologies across all areas of its work,” said Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism.

The initiative aims to expedite transactions and enhance the user experience by reducing the customer journey by up to 35%, lowering costs, and delivering more precise outcomes.

In late November, the ministry launched the region’s first digital platform, TM Marketplace, for buying and trading trademarks. Through this, it aims to increase the market’s attractiveness to brands by up to 20% within the first year of operation.

“These initiatives aim to simplify business setup and operations in the UAE, enhance the competitiveness of the national economy, and advance the ministry’s vision of creating a globally leading government ecosystem rooted in excellence and innovation,” added Al Marri.

Huda AlHashimi, Deputy Minister for Strategic Affairs in the UAE Cabinet, played a key role in launching the Government Accelerators, a platform designed to help federal and local entities rapidly deliver strategic programs and address priority challenges within 100 days. She also contributed to the establishment of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation.

​“These programs reflect how we integrate technology and policy to create meaningful outcomes for citizens, fostering innovation while setting global benchmarks for effective governance,” she said in a press statement on the usage of technology/policy to improve citizens’ lives.

GovTech initiatives also call for collaboration among the public sector, start-ups, innovators, government “intrapreneurs”, and academia on innovative digital government solutions.

In October, Google selected AI start-ups from the region to improve public services. These included CargoSeer, Empeiria, ForestGuard, FortyGuard, Intelmatix, Net Zero Build, Sahl AI, TDE, Wittify AI, and Lahint.

Last year, Google.org pledged $15 million towards boosting AI literacy and accessibility across the MENA region through 2027. 

“Public services are fundamental to our daily lives, from healthcare and social benefits to energy and crisis response. To keep pace with rising demands, these complex systems must constantly evolve. While governments often face challenges like legacy technology and talent gaps, AI presents a pivotal opportunity for transformation,” said Doron Avni, Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Emerging Markets, Google, in an official blog. 

These efforts underscore a broader pattern: public-private partnerships in the region are evolving beyond traditional infrastructure to embed AI and digital tools. By fostering startup-government synergies, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are not only digitizing services but also redefining governance to drive economic diversification.

PPPs are surging across the region, fueled by economic diversification efforts, population growth, and infrastructure gaps. Saudi Arabia, in particular, has one of the largest PPP/privatization pipelines in the world, featuring approximately 200 projects across 17 sectors, including transport, water, energy, healthcare, and education.

Success Stories 

The WEF’s January 2025 report highlights Bahrain’s case study on GovTech in action, showcasing collaborative citizen engagement to achieve a better quality of life. Bahrain has been aiming to cultivate innovation and provide cost-effective public services, with the adoption of GovTech broadening access to services nationwide. Through its national portal “bahrain.Bh,” the public has access to over 700 e-services.  

Its key initiatives include the Bahrain Open Data Portal, which provides free access to more than 390 datasets and 2 million records from over 35 government entities; Sijilat 3.0, which enables investors to apply for, renew, and manage commercial registrations and licenses online; and Tawasul, a platform that facilitates direct citizen–government engagement by allowing users to submit suggestions, complaints, and feedback.

“Through a continuous refinement of strategies and collaborations, Bahrain has effectively harnessed the potential of advanced technologies. These initiatives reflect our dedication to creating an integrated digital ecosystem and ambition to cultivate a more interconnected society,” said Mohamed Ali Al Qaed, chief executive officer, Information & eGovernment Authority, in an official statement.

Saudi Arabia is advancing citizen healthcare through the SEHA Virtual Hospital, the world’s largest virtual hospital, connecting more than 224 facilities nationwide. It delivers emergency and critical consultations, along with eight specialized clinics, including cardiology, diabetes, and psychiatry, and supports Vision 2030 as a flagship initiative of the Health Sector Transformation Program.

Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport began rolling out a Biometric Smart Travel system in 2024, utilizing facial recognition and other biometrics to facilitate a seamless, document-free journey and reduce processing time from 25 seconds to just 7 seconds. 

In Dubai, the Travel Without Borders initiative introduced an AI-powered passenger corridor at Dubai International Airport, allowing travelers to clear immigration without presenting documents.

Oman’s Muscat International Airport, deployed in partnership with Huawei, has deployed biometric e-gates and facial recognition to support GCC-wide one-stop travel, reducing processing times by up to 50% and preparing the airport to meet annual passenger volumes projected to reach 50 million by 2040. LiDAR and AI-driven passenger-flow analytics further optimize terminal operations, minimizing congestion during peak Hajj and tourism seasons.

The rapid adoption of GovTech marks a decisive shift toward digitally empowered governance—one that drives economic diversification, strengthens transparency, and deepens citizen engagement. With sustained strategic investment, GovTech is becoming the backbone of future-ready, inclusive societies built on efficiency, trust, and sustainable growth. This transformation is unlocking significant public value, empowering citizens, and redefining how governments deliver services in the digital age.

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MIT Sloan Management Review Middle East will host the GovTech Conclave 2026, themed “Re-architecting Governance for a New Digital Order,” on April 21, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. 

To speak, partner, or sponsor, register here.